Ukrainian head of state Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked the EU for its previous support – and submitted new wishes at the same time. He once again urged EU leaders to provide his country with modern fighter jets and longer-range missiles. After his visit to liberated Kherson in the south of the country, he reported on Thursday that life is gradually returning there.
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Is there a reason for the delay?
He thanks Poland and Slovakia for the decision to provide Soviet-type MiG-29 fighter jets, Zelenskyj said on Thursday at an EU summit he was connected to via video. “This will significantly strengthen the defense of our airspace. But we need modern aircraft.”
Slovakia announced on Thursday that it has handed over the first 4 of its 13 promised Soviet MiG-29 aircraft to Ukraine. Earlier, Poland had announced the delivery of fighter jets of the same type. Zelenskyy has also long insisted on the supply of modern fighter jets from the West.
Zelenskyy asked the summit participants if there was a rationale behind the delay in the delivery of modern aircraft. He was referring to the Russian threats before the delivery of the German Leopard main battle tank from the EU. And what did Russia do then? We all have to get used to the fact that a terrorist state bluffs more often than it can escalate.”
Selenskyj emphasized: “Time is important. Not only months and weeks, but also days are important. The faster we work together, the more lives we can save.” At the same time, he referred to the previous support from abroad. “This is proof that Europe knows how to defend its values and has the courage to stand up against terrorism “, he said.
Zelenskyj: Life returns to devastated villages
After a visit to the Kherson region of southern Ukraine, which was largely recaptured by Ukrainian troops in the autumn, Zelenskyj drew a positive conclusion. “In some places, more than 90 percent of buildings have been destroyed,” Zelenskyj said in his nightly video address on Thursday. “But even to such villages people come back, and that’s proof that life still wins.” Ukraine will do its utmost “to rebuild our territories”.
Life even returns to the fields around Kherson. “It is a pleasure to see the fields in the Kherson region, cleared by Russian mines and shells, being cultivated and brought back to life,” said Zelenskyy. However, there are still plenty of fields that are being developed. “There is still plenty of work for our pioneers and pyrotechnicians.” But Zelenskyy stressed that he was confident that these areas would be freed from all of Russia’s deadly legacies. “All Ukraine will live.”
In this regard, Zelenskyy expressed special thanks to Finland. The government in Helsinki decided on Thursday to hand over three Leopard mine clearance vehicles to Ukraine.
Kiev: Russians launch “clean-up operation” in Kherson region
According to the Ukrainian General Staff, Russian troops and security services began so-called purge operations among the population of the Dnipro bank under their control in the southern Ukrainian region of Kherson. The search for civilians with pro-Ukrainian attitudes, military retirees and employees of Ukrainian law enforcement agencies has begun in several settlements there, the Kyiv General Staff announced in its daily situation report on Facebook on Thursday.
In contrast, a large-scale raid took place in the settlement of Nowa Kachowka. Large quantities of household appliances, jewelery and mobile phones were ‘seized’ from the civilian population. The information could not be independently verified.
During an autumn Ukrainian offensive, the Russian army retreated from the west bank of the Dnipro near Kherson. Since then, Russian forces have greatly expanded their defense lines on the southern bank of the river.
Russian missile attack on Odessa
The Russian air force fired several missiles at the port city of Odessa in southern Ukraine on Thursday evening. According to initial reports from the Ukrainian army, two missiles were intercepted by anti-aircraft fire. Further information was not initially available. The day before, Odessa had been attacked with several missiles.
What will be important on Friday
New fighting is also expected on Friday around the city of Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine, which has been fiercely fought for months. Ukrainian military officials say they have recognized a decline in the effectiveness of the Russian battle. (sda/dpa)
Soource :Watson
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
